The top reported proficiency rate is 71% in Social studies. The lowest is 58% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Laura Woodward Elementary School
Laura Woodward Elementary School serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Delaware, Ohio. The school enrolls a diverse population of about that size for its grade band, with more than half the students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is mostly white, with meaningful populations of Hispanic, multiracial, and Black students, reflecting moderate demographic diversity for an Ohio elementary school.
On state assessments administered in spring 2025 to grades three through five, Laura Woodward's proficiency rates place it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Delaware County. In English language arts, about half the students scored at proficiency or above. Math proficiency was similar, also near half. Science performance was somewhat stronger. The school reports full participation and testing on these measures, meaning the results represent the actual student population taking the assessments rather than a subset. Prior-year trend data is limited; the state testing system has shifted, making year-to-year comparison difficult to establish. A parent may want to ask the school directly about which students are scoring at each level and what instructional shifts or supports are underway in response to these results.
Delaware City Schools, the district operating Laura Woodward, adopted a Science of Reading and Structured Literacy approach to reading instruction in grades K-3 beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. This means reading instruction, homework, and home reading materials now follow a more formal, phonics-driven pedagogy than many families may have experienced themselves. The district's approach is aligned with state requirements and funded with state support. For families with young readers at home, this shift may affect what you see in take-home assignments and reading practice.
The district recently secured voter approval of a continuing permanent improvement levy in November 2025. This new property tax generates ongoing revenue for building maintenance, buses, technology, and classroom materials and represents an additional cost families must weigh when considering a move to the area. In 2022, voters also approved a substitute operating levy that now funds roughly a quarter of the district's day-to-day operations, including teacher salaries and classroom expenses.
Delaware itself is the county seat of one of Ohio's fastest-growing counties. The town centers on a walkable, historically preserved downtown with strong civic anchors including the county courthouse, library, and Ohio Wesleyan University campus. Residential growth is substantial; multiple large housing developments are under way or approved, adding hundreds of homes to the area. Housing values in the local zip code are moderate for the region, and rents have grown modestly. The community supports parks, recreation facilities, and a calendar of downtown events, giving the town a small-city feel with genuine walkability in its core neighborhoods. Families moving to Delaware are entering a growth corridor with ongoing residential construction and rising enrollment pressures on schools.
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